In addition to its miserable numbers, RIM pushed back the launch of its already-delayed BlackBerry 10 and announced plans to lay off 5,000 employees, roughly 30% of its workforce. Investors balked at the news, sending the company's stock plummeting.

RIM shares are down almost 50% this year.

Inevitably, big questions are now being asked about the company's ability to survive despite CEO Thorsten Heins' confidence in the long-awaited BlackBerry 10.

There has already been chatter, for example, that a vulnerable RIM could make an attractive target for a host of companies, including Microsoft(:MSFT), Amazon(:AMZN), Nokia(:NOK), HTC, Samsung and even Facebook(:FB).

The next few months will certainly be crucial for RIM, which recently hired JPMorgan Chase and Royal Bank of Canada to assist with a strategic review of options.